How to Beat Boredom in the Senior Years

By Debbie Waddell, 9:00 am on July 12, 2016

As your elderly loved one ages, his or her physical health isn’t the only thing you should be paying mind to. Seniors who have few opportunities for socialization can easily become bored, which can have a significant impact on their emotional wellbeing. When it comes to home care, Roseville care professionals have some suggestions for warding off your loved one’s boredom.

Provide Internet Access

Many seniors shy away from technology, but a few social media accounts and an email address can provide your loved one with countless hours of social entertainment. Unlike a desktop computer, which might keep your loved one anchored to a specific room, a light and affordable laptop can be used anywhere he or she is comfortable, even outdoors. If your loved one is having trouble adapting to the Internet, you might want to walk him or her through the process of setting up social media accounts and finding a few old friends and family members.

Explore Senior Peer Counseling

Many areas have recently developed programs to train seniors for peer counseling. After completing a course, these elderly counselors then go on to help their peers battle common emotional and psychological issues such as depression. Not only will this give your loved one something to do for a few hours every week, but it can also provide him or her with a sense of purpose.

Rotate Hobbies

Sticking to the same few hobbies every single day does very little to stimulate a senior’s mind. Every few weeks, come up with a list of a dozen or more hobbies that can be integrated into your loved one’s daily routine. By regularly learning different hobbies, your loved one can continue to challenge his or her cognitive abilities and potentially find others with similar interests, increasing the size of his or her social circle.

Adopt a Pet

A recent study conducted at the University of Minnesota found pet therapy for seniors can increase emotional stability, reduce boredom, combat stress, and even lower blood pressure. Dogs are loyal and enjoyable companions, but they often require quite a bit of time and energy when caring for them. Cats provide many of the same benefits without the need for regular walks and multiple trips outside per day. Either choice provides a fun way to help your loved one prevent boredom.

Hiring a part-time or live-in caregiver in Roseville is another way to prevent your loved one from spending his or her days alone and bored. At Home Care Assistance, our compassionate caregivers can provide the emotional support and social stimulation your loved one needs, and they can also help with a variety of tasks like exercise, bathing, and grooming. For more information, call one of our friendly Care Managers at 916.472.0605 to schedule a free in-home consultation.